In heraldry, the shield is the primary location for displaying a coat of arms. The symbols, shapes and colors depicted on the shield represent important information about the bearer, such as their family lineage, social status, achievements or qualities.
The shield acts as a visual identifier, allowing knights and nobles to be recognized on the battlefield or in tournaments even when covered in armor. The designs on shields were also used as seals to authenticate documents. Over time, heraldry evolved into a complex symbolic language to convey lineage, rank and honor.
Understanding what the different elements of a shield represent provides insight into the history and status of a family. While simple shields might just display a bold color, more elaborate coats of arms use complex divisions, ordinaries, charges and tinctures to reflect a family’s identity.
Basic Elements of a Shield
The shield outline or shape itself can have significance in heraldry. Common shield shapes include:
– Heater – A classic symmetrical shield shape tapered at the top and sides. This was the predominant shape used in the Middle Ages.
– Oval – A rounded, elliptical shape sometimes used for women’s or ecclesiastical arms.
– Lozenge – A diamond shape often associated with a coat of arms belonging to an unmarried woman.
– Cartouche – An oval shield with a flattened bottom and decorative scrollwork on the sides.
– Targe – A round or oval shield with leather covering the back of the hand and forearm. Used by light cavalry.
The different divisions of the shield also carry meaning. Dividing lines can split the shield in half vertically or diagonally or into multiple sections to hold multiple charges.
Common divisions include:
– Per pale – Vertically divided into two equal parts
– Per fess – Horizontally divided into two equal parts
– Per bend – Diagonally divided from upper left to lower right
– Per chevron – Split into two parts by an inverted V shape
– Quarterly – Divided into four equal sections by a vertical and horizontal line
Ordinaries
Ordinaries are simple geometric charges that span the field of the shield. They are often used as divisions but can also be charged on top of other elements.
Common ordinaries include:
– Chief – A horizontal band across the top third of the shield
– Pale – A vertical band down the center of the shield
– Fess – A horizontal band across the center of the shield
– Bend – A diagonal band from upper left to lower right
– Chevron – An inverted V shape
– Cross – Two bands that intersect at right angles
– Saltire – An X shape formed by two diagonal bands
– Pall – A Y shape formed by two diagonal bands with a vertical bar in the center
The colors and placement of ordinaries can create many unique permutations. For example, a gold fess on a red shield is different than a red fess on a gold shield.
Charges
Charges refer to any emblem or object depicted on the field of a shield. Simple charges may just be geometric shapes, while more complex coats of arms have detailed objects or figures representing the bearer’s history or values.
Common charges include animals like lions, eagles, stags and dragons, mythological beasts, flowers, celestial bodies, crosses, castles, weapons and armor. Humans, body parts and man-made items like anchors and bridges can also appear as charges.
The attitudes or positions of animal charges are blazoned using specific heraldic terms. For example, a lion rampant is upright in a pose of aggression, while a lion passant is walking with one forepaw raised.
Charges don’t necessarily have to be pictorial. Letters, words and numerals can also be depicted on shields. Unique shapes like lozenges, crescents, mullets and roundels are frequently used charges as well.
Tinctures
Tinctures refer to the colors and textures used on a coat of arms. The shield background and charges are described using specialized heraldic terms derived from Norman French:
– Or – Gold or yellow
– Argent – Silver or white
– Gules – Red
– Azure – Blue
– Sable – Black
– Vert – Green
– Purpure – Purple
– Tenné – Orange-brown
In addition to plain tinctures, patterned variations add more visual interest:
– Tincture + “per pale” – Divided vertically into halves of two tinctures
– Tincture + “checky” – Divided into a checked pattern
– Tincture + “pily” – Scattered with downward pointing triangles
– Ermine – White with a pattern of black shapes representing the winter stoat’s fur
– Vair – Alternating blue and white bell shapes representing squirrel fur
Metals (or) and furs (ermine) traditionally can’t be placed directly on top of other metals and furs, a rule of contrast that allows the designs to stand out clearly.
Crest, Helm and Mantling
While the shield is the core of a coat of arms, other external elements can be added above and around the shield:
– Crest – an emblem, usually placed atop a twisted roll of fabric called a wreath, above the shield. Crests often repeat charges or themes from the shield.
– Helm/Helmet – Placed above the shield as if being worn in battle, often with rank signified by details like gold bars or coronets.
– Mantling/Lambrequin – Drapery that starts at the top of the helm and frames the sides of the shield. Usually depicted in the main metal and color of the arms.
– Supporters – Creatures or human figures that flank the shield as if holding it up. Reserved for members of the nobility and clergy.
– Motto – A short phrase usually on a scroll underneath the shield summarizing a virtue, belief or pledge.
Together, all these elements create a symbolic “achievement” representing the status and history of the bearer. While simpler arms may just use a shield, more elaborate achievements assert power, legitimacy and alliance.
Meaning Behind Common Charges
While charges can carry many personal meanings, through history several common figures and symbols have come to represent broader concepts and virtues in heraldry:
Animals
– Eagle – Authority, courage, wisdom
– Lion – Bravery, strength, royalty
– Bear – Ferocity in protection of kindred
– Fox – Cleverness, strategy
– Stag – Peacefulness, harmony with environment
– Wolf – Valiant leadership in wartime
– Dolphin – Swiftness, diligence, salvation, charity
– Falcon or Hawk – Nobility, rising above baser temptations
Colors
– White/Silver – Peace, sincerity
– Red – Military strength, valor, magnanimity
– Blue – Loyalty, truth
– Black – Constancy, grief
– Green – Hope, joy, abundance
– Purple – Royal majesty, sovereignty
Celestial Bodies
– Sun – Glory, splendor, intellect
– Crescent Moon – Enlightenment, new life, growth
– Star – Divine quality from above, honor
– Comet – Nobility of descent from above
Plants and Nature
– Oak Tree – Strength
– Laurel – Victory, distinction
– Olive Branch – Peace
– Roses – Hope, joy
– Thistle – Hardyness, bravery
– Wheat – Agricultural bounty
Structures
– Tower – Defense, refuge
– Castle – Safety, security
– Bridge – Transition, connection
– House – Dynasty, lineage
Religious Symbols
– Cross – Faith
– Angel – Spirituality, divine guidance
– Lamb – Innocence
– Anchor – Steadfast hope
Miscellaneous
– Crown – Sovereignty
– Sword – Justice, military honor
– Feather/Quill – Writing, communication
– Harp – Devotion, harmoniousness
– Arrow – Readiness for war
– Shell – Pilgrimage, saintliness
So while charges may have some standardized meanings, ultimately the symbolism in a coat of arms is open to interpretation by the bearer. The shield allows knights, nobles and clergy to proclaim their identity to the world through striking visual imagery.
Famous Heraldic Shields
Looking at famous examples of historic coats of arms provides more context on how heraldic achievements reflected the legacy of powerful figures:
Richard the Lionheart
The shield of King Richard I of England displayed three golden lions set against a red background. Richard earned his epithet “Lionheart” for his bravery in the Third Crusade against Saladin. The lions represent the courage and ferocity Richard displayed as a warrior-king.
Geoffrey Plantagenet
The common broom plant (planta genista in Latin) gave the Plantagenet kings their dynasty name. Geoffrey, Count of Anjou shields displayed the yellow flowering broom as a symbol of humility and honor. His son Henry II brought the plant emblem to England in 1154.
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI’s papal arms from 2005-2013 featured a Moor’s head, a symbol adopted by Freising, the German diocese where he was once Archbishop. The head recalls Saint Maurice, a third-century African Roman soldier martyred for his Christian faith.
Gerald FitzGerald
Gerald FitzGerald, Lord of Offaly in Ireland, used elaborate helms and crests befitting a high-ranking noble. His shield’s black boar charge referenced his nickname “Cam” or “Crooked” in Irish. The motto “Crom aboo” (Crom forever) honors the Celtic god Crom Cruach.
Edward the Black Prince
Edward the Black Prince, son of Edward III, bore a shield of the Royal Arms quartered with old arms of the Kingdom of France. His victories in the Hundred Years War allowed Edward III to claim the French crown, represented by the fleur-de-lis quarters.
Conclusion
A heraldic shield encases profound meaning. Every color, partition, charge and flourish creates a meditated symbolic language. Mastering this language allowed knights, nobles and clergy to display their legacy and virtues with gravitas. A coat of arms synthesizes ancestry, achievement and character into a single framed artwork. For centuries, bearing a heraldic shield equated to asserting a distinct, legitimized identity recognized across medieval Europe and beyond.
